Displaying combiner toys - combined or separate?

[griffin]

How do you display your combiner group toys - in their combined form, or as separate bots?

After recently getting the Kreo combiners, I kinda want to have them as individual bots to go with the other Kreon Microchangers. But then, the
main feature of these toys are the combined modes, so I'm also thinking that I should have them displayed as their combiner form... which is having
me think that maybe I should get a second set to have both combiner and individual bots on display. (something I don't do with my collection - having duplicates)

So now that I'm leaning towards having both combiners and individual Kreons on display, it is making me want to do the same with the early
Hasbro Generation One combiners... the more iconic ones. Like the ones from the first 3 or 4 years, which wouldn't take much to collect, now that
four have been reissued recently (Devastator, Bruticus, Predaking, Pirranacon).

So, what do you think, or do with combiners?

- Have one set, as the combined mode
- Have one set, as the individual figures (either mode)
- Have two sets of all combiners you own
- Have two sets of just iconic combiners
- Have three sets to cover all 3 modes
- Something else

Combined...


Individual bots...


And their alt-modes...

[GoktimusPrime]

I usually display my complete gestalt teams combined for the simple reason that it saves more space. So I voted accordingly. If I happen to have a spare of any figures, then I'll display the spare(s) individually. But that usually happens if I get a reissue or variant.

Exceptions are (not including members of incomplete gestalt teams):
+ G1 1985 Long Haul - my original was wrecked by another kid when I was little. I then super glued my original G1 Long Haul in Devastator-component mode, so he's basically mode-locked. I later got a 2nd G1 Long Haul, and that one's displayed in vehicle mode, while all my Encore Constructicons are individually displayed in robot mode.
+ Bristleback - got a free spare, so I'm keeping it in robot mode so I never have to transform my first one which is in Monstructor-component mode. Damn GPS.
+ Slog - found one cheap at the last Parra Fair. Slog also suffers from GPS, so same deal as Bristleback.
+ Tackle - my only original G1 Multiforcer. The reissues are all displayed combined.
+ Energon Grimlock and Swoop - cos Mega Dinobot just looks that f'ugly...
+ Sixliner - cos my 1991 Autobot shelf is pret-ty sparse, there's enough space to display them combined. My 1992 Autobot shelf is more crowded, so Sixtrain is displayed in combined mode.
+ Gusher and Pipeline. I don't have Tanker Truck Transport, and I already display Grit and Knockout in robot mode, so might as well display Gusher and Pipeline in combined vehicle mode.
+ God Ginrai. IMO Super Ginrai is too beautiful a toy to cover up with Godbomber, so I display them separately.

But those are exceptions... the majority of my gestalts & combiners are displayed combined.

[lj7369]

The only combiner i have out at the moment, is the foc Bruticus. He is in combined mode.
Currently space is at a premium and i have a rotation system for display.
i i had the room and could afford it, i would be definately into this idea, devastator, defensor, menasor, predaking, bruticus, superion, Piranacon,......where to draw the line????
As i am still in the conceptual stage of my g1 collecting, I think i would only have the combiners combined, as they were designed for that purpose.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I'd go with having them stand with other Kreons in combined mode personally. They are a little bit more special that way when you compare them to other Kreons.

As for other bots, it depends on the group. If their colours all look similar and they match nicely, then the individuals standing next to each other make a good display. You can really see that they are a team. But then Combined modes are usually impressive.

If I had them on display, I'd alternate. But Kreons, definitely combined.

[jazzcomp]

Combined mode for me

[Verno]

I've got 3 Combiners -- Magnaboss, Tripredacus and Magmatron -- and they're certainly suited to be displayed combined.

[GoktimusPrime]

As for other bots, it depends on the group. If their colours all look similar and they match nicely, then the individuals standing next to each other make a good display. You can really see that they are a team. But then Combined modes are usually impressive.

Heh, I'm the opposite in that regard -- I prefer to have more similar-coloured individuals combined and have the more differently-coloured set displayed individually. As you said, it makes it look more impressive in gestalt mode.

e.g. I have my 2003 Wal*Mart exclusive RiD Landfill displayed combined, but my 2001 RiD Build Team members are displayed individually.

Oh, another exception I have are my CR/RiD Combaticons - they're displayed individually too in vehicle mode. I display my G1 Combaticons individually in robot mode, Encore Combaticons combined as Bruticus, and CR/RiD Combaticons displayed individually in vehicle mode. That way I have at least 3 versions of each Combaticon mould displayed in their robot, vehicle and combined modes. I like to try to display redecos of the same mould in alternate modes if space allows for it.

[crankcase76]

I have my in their combined form, due to space restrictions. But occasionally will pull them down into their individual robot modes.

[Trent]

Generally combined. But occasionally I'll break them up into the individual modes. Just to mix it up.

[1AZRAEL1]

All mine are combined, only really have one set of each. Aside from FOC Bruticus, I will have 3 sets of him once i get my takara version off hursticon.

I too lean towards having 2 sets of kreo combiners, as i love their robot modes but i want them as combiners too